Good Friday is observed here very generally. My work for the week having been completed I had a holiday— The American newspapers to the 12th came in, but furnished less material of interest than common. The most important items were the issue of the New Hampshire election which nearly clearly establishes the preponderance of the administration, and the retirement of Mr Chase from the false position of a candidate for the Presidency. That particular613 foible of his I perceived cropping out at least sixteen years ago, when no one else suspected it. His retreat is evidently reluctant, and compelled by the decision of the majority of the party in the Ohio Legislature which has declared in favor of the President. It is well that it should be so, for the ministry ought not to be broken up in this critical season. I spent some time in the study of the British coinage and the formation of a catalogue. My acquaintance with the subject is steadily improving. I now weight every coin, besides noting all the other characteristics. The differences are sometimes rather surprising. A long walk with son Brooks whose fresh reading of history makes me brisk up my recollections. How much I have forgotten during the last ten years; ever since my mind was fixed upon the investigations connected with my great labor in editing John Adams, and latterly in politics! I ought not to forget the relevance of age. We dined together quietly and a little less than cheerfully, conscious that shortly afterwards, the parting was to come. Charles and Henry left us for Liverpool, where the former embarks in the Persia tomorrow morning. His visit of five weeks and three days has been a time of constant sunshine to us. I am grateful to the Divine being for the mercy, and in separating again I pray only for his continued protection. Finished this evening, Mr Ticknor’s Life of W. H. Prescott. An elaborate memorial of an amiable and honorable life. As a historian I fear that time will not confirm the judgment of his contemporaries. But as a man and an author who never made an enemy, he will remain with a record that all followers may profitably study. There is a curious letter in it to Charles Sumner on his famous fourth of July address, which is perhaps the acutest piece of judgment to be found in all his composition.